Housekeeping business helps students with tuition, experience

Working toward graduation

February 25, 2013

SHEPHERDSTOWN - There are not many times in life that you will hear, "I wish I had more houses to clean," but that is exactly what Morgan Davis said Friday afternoon as she sat in the Shepherd University library with her business partner, Kristi Edwards.

At 19, and a sophomore at Shepherd, Davis found herself working three part-time jobs to be able to afford living expenses and attending college. One of her jobs was as a waitress where she earned less than minimum wage.

"I'm not the typical college student. I don't live on campus, and I have my car payment, gas, rent, food, phone - I provide for myself," Davis said.

Article Photos

Journal photo by Michelle HorstKristi Edwards and Morgan Davis work to provide a way for Shepherd University students to earn money while pursuing degrees at the university.

Just over a month ago, Davis and Edwards realized that there had to be more struggling students in the same situation. They wanted to provide a way for students to use their knowledge and experience in their majors with hands-on work experience that could provide something many internships could not - a paycheck.

More than just a paycheck, students also need to plan for their future careers.

Victoria Bauchbauer, director of career services at Shepherd, said she encourages students to begin planning for their future careers as early as their freshmen year.

In 2012, career services has worked with more than 900 students, and some students still find themselves in the situation of working multiple jobs.

Don Zumbach, a graduating senior and member of the university's newspaper staff, said he is also in the position of working multiple jobs, and working with career services for post-graduation positions.

"I have found a good part-time job off campus," Zumbach said. "I have a part-time job on campus too. They don't pay as much, but they are flexible with my course load and scheduling."

Davis and Morgan are helping students by providing a way for them to earn money while having flexible hours.

"Our vision is not just to clean houses, but it is to do something bigger - to give people the opportunity to help a student," Edwards said.

With business insurance and official paperwork in hand, the pair were ready to start recruiting students for their new company, Helping Us Graduate.

What started with the idea of cleaning homes quickly turned into a grocery list of various other services that students could provide.

Edwards said the first client H.U.G. worked with was just over a week ago. The client needed yard work and was quickly paired with an environmental studies major.

She also tossed out the idea that with the Easter holiday quickly approaching, H.U.G. provides the ability for students to clean house, serve dinner or even cook if their services are needed.

"You can just enjoy dinner with relatives that you may not get to see often," Edwards said.

The company provides a way for students to learn a strong work ethic and prepare for their future careers. Davis said already having her own business is motivation for her to continue pursuing her degree.

"Some students have to make a choice if they can work or go to school," Edwards said, adding that through H.U.G. students can have another choice.

"It makes me feel great to be able to provide this for students," Davis said.